Enstrom 280FX accident near Tallassee, AL
On November 22, 2001, an Enstrom 280FX (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Tallassee, AL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 22, 2001
- Place
- Tallassee, AL
- Aircraft
- Enstrom 280FX · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.520°N, 85.892°W
- NTSB ID
- 20011129X02311
NTSB summary
History of the Flight On November 22, 2001, about 1330 central standard time, a Enstrom 280FX, N280XF, registered to Tread-Aire, LLC, collided with electrical wires, while approaching runway 13, at Reeves Airport, Tallassee, Alabama, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries. The two passengers received fatal injuries. The flight originated from a residence, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he keeps the helicopter at his residence. On the day of the accident he flew to his sister's house. After dinner, he departed his sister's house, which is located about 5 miles from the accident site, with the two passengers. They flew around the town of Tallassee, and he then entered on the downwind leg for runway 13 at Reeves Airport. He turned on base over the Tallapoosa River, and was flying to the south. He observed a glimmer and remembers seeing power lines. The next thing he remembers is being in the river. Personnel Information The pilot holds an FAA commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating and a private pilot certificate with a airplane single engine land rating. The pilot holds a flight instructor rating with a rotorcraft helicopter rating, which was issued on December 19, 2000. The pilot holds a FAA second class medical certificate, issued on May 8, 2001, with the limitation that correcting lenses be worn. The pilot last received a biennial flight review on Decem
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain a safe altitude above terrain and maintain a visual lookout resulting in the helicopter colliding with power transmission lines and crashing into a river. A factor in the accident was the power transmission lines not being marked.
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Browse: Alabama · Enstrom aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
